Carman's Protein Slice Bar Choc Peanut 5 Pack
Carman's Protein Slice Bar Choc Peanut 5 Pack: independently scored 4.6/10 on Protein Score and 6.6/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
5.9g protein per serve · 170 cal · 10.9g sugar · 97mg sodium · 35g serve.
Overview
This Choc Peanut bar sits in an interesting spot in the Carman's lineup, feeling more like a classic muesli bar slice that's been given a protein boost. It has the familiar texture and sweetness of a confectionary-style snack, with a dark chocolate base and crunchy rice crisps, making it an easy grab-and-go option for the lunchbox or desk drawer. The nutritional panel, however, confirms its position as a treat. At 16.8g of protein per 100g, it sits well below the 27g category average for protein snacks we track. Its sugar content of 31.1g per 100g is almost triple the category average, a significant trade-off. Stack it against the brand's Protein Nut Butter Peanut Butter bar and you get a small win, with this Choc Peanut slice delivering 2.6g more protein and 1.8g less sugar per 100g. The ingredient list tells the story of how that sweet, crunchy texture is achieved. Dark chocolate compound is the number one ingredient, with sugar as its primary component. Protein comes from soy protein crisps and a smaller amount of milk protein concentrate, bulked out with rice crisps, syrups, and peanuts. Ultimately, we see this as a flavour-first choice. It's a more satisfying alternative to a simple chocolate bar, but it doesn't pack the protein punch required for post-workout recovery or for anyone seriously tracking their macros. It's a snack, and a pretty tasty one, but not a functional protein product.
Protein Score: 4.6/10
This is a muesli bar playing in the protein aisle, and the numbers show it. The 5.9g of protein in a single 35g bar is a step up from a standard sweet biscuit but falls far short of a dedicated recovery bar, earning a Protein Score/10. It trails the field for protein density, offering just 3.5g of protein for every 100 calories consumed. A typical protein bar we test delivers between 20g and 30g of protein per serve. You would need to eat four of these Carman's slices to get that kind of hit, which would also mean consuming over 40g of sugar and close to 700 calories. That trade-off simply doesn't stack up if protein is your primary goal. It's best viewed as a snack with a protein boost, not a protein-first product. For anyone tracking macros for performance or recovery, this doesn't make the cut. It serves a different purpose: a slightly more satisfying alternative to a standard chocolate bar for the 3pm slump.
Clean Score: 6.6/10
The main additive here is Soy Lecithin, an emulsifier used to stabilise the dark chocolate compound. With 24 ingredients in total, including various syrups and processed rice crisps, the bar lands a Clean Score/10. This reflects a moderately processed snack that sits just below the category average for ingredient simplicity. The ingredient list is slightly longer than the typical protein snack we see, driven by the multi-component nature of the bar. It has a chocolate coating, soy and rice crisps, and multiple binders. While it avoids artificial sweeteners, colours, and preservatives, the use of brown rice syrup and golden syrup contributes significantly to the added sugar content. This isn't a whole-food snack, and it doesn't pretend to be. The processing delivers a consistent, shelf-stable, chocolate-bar-like texture that holds together in a lunchbox. For shoppers prioritising a short ingredient list, there are cleaner options in the Carman's range and the wider category.
Wins
- Comes in a convenient 5-bar multipack for lunchboxes.
- Delivers more protein (5.9g) than a standard muesli bar.
- Avoids all artificial sweeteners, colours and preservatives.
Watch outs
- Sugar is the main ingredient in the chocolate coating.
- Just 5.9g of protein per bar is low for a protein-branded snack.
- At 170 calories, the protein-per-calorie trade-off is weak.
Ingredients
Dark Choc Compound 31% (Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Cocoa Solids, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Natural Flavour, Salt, Milk), Peanuts 16%, Brown Rice Syrup, Soy Protein Crisps 9% (Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Salt), Golden Syrup, Rice Crisps 7% (Rice, Raising Agent (Calcium Carbonate)), Peanut Butter 5%, Cocoa Rice Crisps 5% (Rice Flour, Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Salt), Canola Oil, Milk Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavour, Sea Salt.
24 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I buy Carman's Choc Peanut Protein Slice bars?
- These bars are typically stocked in the muesli bar or health food aisle at major Australian supermarkets, including Coles and Woolworths. They are sold in a five-bar multipack. Availability may vary by store location, and they might also be available to purchase directly from the Carman's website. We'd suggest checking the supermarket's online portal to confirm stock at your local store before heading out.
- Is this bar a high-protein snack?
- No, we wouldn't classify this as a high-protein snack. Each 35g bar contains 5.9g of protein, which is an improvement on a standard muesli bar but significantly less than a dedicated protein bar, which usually offers 20-30g. To get a substantial protein hit, you'd need to eat several bars, which isn't practical given the calorie and sugar load. Think of it as a regular snack with a small protein bonus, not a functional recovery food.
- How does this compare to other Carman's bars?
- This Choc Peanut bar is one of several protein-branded snacks in the Carman's range. Compared with their Protein Nut Butter Peanut Butter bar, this version offers a slightly better nutritional profile, with 2.6g more protein and 1.8g less sugar per 100g. However, both sit in a similar territory of being sweeter, treat-style bars rather than high-performance protein products. We'd suggest checking the labels across the range, as the macros can vary quite a bit.
- Why is the sugar content so high in this protein bar?
- The high sugar content comes from several ingredients used to create its sweet, chocolatey flavour and chewy texture. The number one ingredient is a dark chocolate compound, which itself lists sugar first. The bar also contains brown rice syrup and golden syrup. With 10.9g of sugar in a small 35g bar, it's clear this product is designed for taste and indulgence first. We think it's better framed as a treat than a functional health food.
- Is this bar filling enough for a snack?
- At 170 calories, this bar is substantial enough to work as a light snack between meals. The sugar and carbs will provide a quick energy lift, which can be useful for an afternoon slump. However, with only 5.9g of protein and very little fibre, it may not provide long-lasting satiety. It's a quick fix for a sweet craving rather than a snack designed to keep you full for hours. We'd grab one for a flavour hit, but not to bridge a long gap between meals.